Assessing the Nexus between Climate Finance and State Vulnerability in Africa

The severity and intensity of climate change in Africa are incomparable to those in other parts of the world, as adaptation and mitigation frameworks are unable to withstand the shocks of climate change. The recognition of the vulnerable nature of developing states to climate change, particularly Africa, has enjoined developed parties whose Anthropogenic contribution to climate change surpasses 70% of global GHG emissions, a financial obligation. The study used a mixed-methods approach with data from the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative’s (ND-GAIN) vulnerability index and the Climate Policy Initiative’s (CPI) climate finance tracking data set and qualitative interviews with key experts in climate finance and climate risk assessment in Africa. The study assesses the level of risk climate change has on Africa in particular areas that are critical to the continent’s efforts to achieve its SDGs. The study notes a huge average annual climate financing gap with the use of a Sample-T test to assess climate needs as against climate funds received by Africa while establishing an inverse relationship between vulnerability and readiness to adapt to climate vulnerabilities. The study identifies the need for a sustainable finance framework for Africa to raise internal funds for climate resilience.